Ian Curtis Manchester mural recreated at new site in time for World Suicide Prevention Day

nme.com:

Ian Curtis mural in Manchester has been recreated in a new location, following the original being covered up last year.The original portrait of the Manchester music icon was located on the side of a house on Port Street since October 2020, however, outrage was sparked from Joy Division fans last August, when it was replaced with an Amazon Music advert, promoting Aitch’s debut ‘Close To Home’.Now, after promising fans that the mural would be arriving back in the city, a replacement has popped up in a new location.

It comes after councillors granted listed building consent for the new artwork to be located on the side of a pub close to Piccadilly Railway Station.The new mural has been created by an artist named Akse P19, who added the finishing touches to the piece over the weekend.

It was completed yesterday (September 10) – which was World Suicide Prevention Day – and paid tribute to the frontman, who died by suicide in 1980.The artwork was commissioned by Headstock – the Manchester music and mental wellbeing festival – as well as with Aitch’s management company.

Work for it also started last Monday (September 4), after permission was granted for it to be added to the side of the Star and Garter pub on Fairfield Street.A post shared by Akse (P19 Crew) (@akse_p19)“It was important that we took the time to find the right location to ensure a long-term home for the artwork,” said Headstock Founder, Atheer Al-Salim (via BBC).